Tommy is in shape. You can tell he’s spent a lot of his life doing physical activity.
“Oh, it’s not my weight I’m worried about. It’s the sugar, the carbs, the cholesterol, and who knows what else is in this stuff.”
The girl laughs as she hands us the box. “Enjoy.”
We walk away, passing premade pastries that look good but nearly as good as the fresh stuff. I don’t get out of the house enough to do this sort of thing. I like how this feels… being out, shopping, doingnormalstuff.
“Can we go to the area I need first?”
“Sure.”
We walk to the opposite end of the store, until I finally find the aisle I need. It’s the very last one, lined with all sorts of non-food stuff. Body wash, shampoo, pads, acne medication, condoms, pregnancy tests…
I browse slowly, looking up and down the shelves for what I need. I spot it but I can’t grab it in front of Tommy.
Or… could I?
I could pretend this is for me. Why didn’t I think of that? Good god, sometimes my brain doesn’t work.
Though… that could go very wrong. What if he tells Grizz? I’m sure he would want to keep the secret, but I can’t be sure he would. I also can’t guarantee that he would assume it’s for me and not Kelsey.
Her sickness suddenly makes sense, and Tommy is a smart guy. He may put it all together.
Tommy does a good job of acting like he isn’t watching me, but I know he is. He was a cop for many years, I’m sure he can see out the back of his head. I offer him an awkward smile.
“Sorry,” I say.
“No need. And don’t feel embarrassed.”
“Yeah, that’s easier said than done,” I mutter.
“Should I turn around?” He chuckles.
“Well,” I say, looking at the end of the aisle where all the body wash is. “I wouldn’t be mad if you went to the end of the aisle.”
Hi sighs, but nods. “Fine. If it’ll make you feel better.”
“It really will.”
He stands there for a long moment before walking to the end of the aisle and busying himself with looking at soap. He even picks up a few things and pops them open to smell.
I already have my eyes set on the test I want, so I quickly grab that and some soap that claims it’s safe to wash your vagina with. I shove them both into the front part of the carriage, beneath Dorothea’s car seat. Now all I have to do is buy this stuff without him noticing what I have.
Tommy doesn’t seem to care one bit about what I put in the carriage. Maybe he saw it, maybe he didn’t, but he says nothing. I just really hope that if he did see it, he doesn’t say anything to Grizz. All I need is for him to thinkI’mthe one who could be pregnant. No doubt in my mind he would be happy about it, but I don’t want to give him hope over something that isn’t. Which is why I understand Kelsey’s need to keep this quiet from Tommy for now.
We get in line to pay, and there are two people in front of us. It’s the only register open, but I don’t mind waiting. Grizz is going to be late, and being out of the house is nice.
“Shit,” Tommy mutters, looking up from his phone and towards the aisles.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Kels just texted that she forgot to put brown sugar on the list.”
“You can go grab it,” I say, glancing at the women who is grabbing her bags off the counter. If the lady in front of us is quick, I could pay for my things before Tommy gets back.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says with a shake of his head. “I’ll let her know I’ll get it another day.”
I put my hand on his arm. “Tommy, I’ll be fine. I’m in line. There are people here. Nothing is going to happen.”
